In Vivo Digestibility Evaluation of Chitinous Materials

Abstract

Chitinous products were investigated by in vivo rumen fermentation. Samples of cockroaches, grasshoppers, shrimp meal, crab meal, and purified chitin were placed in the rumen of fistulated steers. Average rumen solubilities were (dry matter loss from nylon bags) 66.5, 32.0, 17.4, 35.7, and 21.5%. Accounting for solubility in a water system at 40 C indicated that the rumen system was solubilizing 5.0, 3.2, and 15.0% of cockroaches, grasshoppers, and crab meal over that occurring in water alone.